A Step Into Their World

I once heard “real life is made up of those moments that take your breath away.” After last week’s interaction with a mama and baby humpback whale, consider me breathless and full of life.

Humpback whales gather each year in Mexico’s Revillagigedo Archipelago, otherwise known as the Socorro Islands, to give birth and mate. Every January through April, we see many mothers and newborn calves, but few choose to interact with us. This special pair allowed us to step into their world and share some very special moments.

At the dive site called Roca Partida, we observed whales blowing in close proximity to the boat. Then I noticed they didn’t move away. Sitting motionless on the surface, a mama and baby humpback breathed slowly and loudly. You could feel their breath. This behavior is unusual and we identified it as a sign they might be receptive to snorkelers in the water. So we jumped in.

We kicked over to the whales quickly, anticipating that they would swim away. They didn’t. At first sight, the huge 45-foot frame of an adult female humpback is a lot to take in. In the blue she is only a giant shadow. Then as you swim closer, you can make out her details: The large nodules around her mouth, the grooves that follow the length of her massive head, the white scratches that illustrate an experienced life, the barnacles on her chin and pectoral fins, and her ever expressive eye. Her eye moved assessing the situation, but she remained calm and sunk to around 40 feet and began to hover there motionless. Her baby began to swim, flopping oversized pectoral fins around and playing in circles. The mama watched as we closed in, and she allowed us to move above her and interact with the baby. Her trust in us was unbelievable.

The 15-foot baby moved unhindered and unafraid of these foreigners now before it. Everyone was ecstatic and following the baby’s every move. When the little one grew bored of the interaction, it dove down to mama and nuzzled close underneath her. I never expected them to be so gentle and seemingly loving. I watched as the baby mouthed mama’s chin and then slowly glided underneath her pectoral fin taking shelter. I free dove down so I could get a closer perspective. I could see mama watching me and I could feel her gaze connecting us. I was careful not to impose myself too close.

After some time the baby would recommence playtime and ascend to the surface. When mama had to breathe, it was time to move. You could feel the strength of her giant tail as she slowly moved. They would move 100 meters away and hover again. We carried on like this for two days, observing them together. I feel so fortunate to have witnessed this as it has deepened my understanding of these majestic animals. Swimming next to something so large in size, it’s difficult not to have a sense of humility. They are so powerful, yet so gentle. It was beautiful being able to observe the mama nurturing her young in such a way. This step into the world of the whales has moved me and definitely has taken my breath away.

David Valencia is a divemaster and photo pro for the Solmar V live-aboard.